MGASC -Chapter 196 Stunning Everyone

In a burst of happiness, Zhang Qiao bought Li Enhua two more pairs of cotton-padded winter shoes.

She also wanted to buy something for Lin Tianyue, but he refused. Instead, he bought her new clothes, a new scarf, and a new hat.

When they walked out of the mall, both Zhang Qiao and Li Enhua were dressed in brand-new outfits from head to toe. The pink scarf around Zhang Qiao’s neck made her already youthful face look even more lively and charming.

She was young to begin with, and Li Enhua was only in his early twenties as well. Both of them were fair-skinned. Standing together in their new clothes, chatting animatedly as they walked, they looked just like family.

Lin Tianyue glanced at himself and suddenly felt he looked so mature—like their uncle…

“Qiaoqiao…”

He called out to her from behind. Zhang Qiao and Li Enhua turned around together.

“What’s wrong?”

Lin Tianyue stroked his chin and pondered for a moment. “You know, the two of you standing together really look like sister and brother.”

“Huh?”

He then asked, “Enhua, how old are you?”

“I’m 21. My birthday’s in October.”

Zhang Qiao exclaimed in surprise, “I’m 21 too! But I’m a few months older—June birthday.”

Lin Tianyue stepped closer and wrapped an arm around Zhang Qiao. “See? I told you. Looks just like an older sister and younger brother.”

As he spoke, he gestured meaningfully at Li Enhua.

Li Enhua scratched his head, a little embarrassed. “Sister.”

“Hey!” Zhang Qiao responded brightly. “Perfect. The younger brother I have at home is useless—I like you much better. Be a good little brother, work hard. When you make money in the future, I’ll find you a pretty wife!”

Zhang Qiao’s thinking was simple—win people over as much as possible.

To build a business, everyone had to unite and pull in the same direction. Li Enhua’s professional skills were undeniable. When their business expanded in the future, they would definitely need his support.

The restaurant Gu Yu had booked was the Cantonese restaurant Gu Junye had just opened a few days earlier, called Yuehai Hui.

At only five-thirty in the evening, the main hall was already full. The two-story red building had been decorated by Gu Junye in dazzling gold and splendor. At the entrance stood tall, elegant hostesses with sweet smiles. Their soft “Welcome” calls were enough to melt anyone’s heart.

Lin Tianyue looked around and couldn’t help frowning slightly as he whispered to Zhang Qiao, “It does look pretty impressive.”

Zhang Qiao nodded in praise. “Mm, it’s on a whole different level compared to the state-run Hongmei Restaurant.”

Li Enhua, however, remained calm. “Sister, he just copied high-end restaurants from abroad and the capital. Once you’ve seen enough of those, this doesn’t feel like much. I still think ours has more character.”

As they were talking, Gu Yu came out to greet them.

It was his first time seeing Zhang Qiao, and his eyes lit up instantly.

He had imagined a country girl—no matter how pretty, how pretty could she be? But from head to toe, Zhang Qiao showed not the slightest trace of rusticity. Though she had only recently finished her confinement period, her complexion was rosy, her lips red, her teeth white, her eyes bright and expressive. Even without makeup, her bare face alone was enough to stun everyone.

What’s more, she was tall, curvy, and beautifully proportioned.

At first glance, Gu Yu completely understood why Lin Tianyue was so obsessed with his wife.

“Sister-in-law, right? I’ve heard Brother Yue mention you long ago. Finally get to meet you today. You’re even prettier than he described! No—ten times prettier!”

Gu Yu grabbed Zhang Qiao’s hand enthusiastically. He was nothing like the reserved Li Enhua—his mouth was sweet and shameless.

Lin Tianyue frowned and swatted his hand away. “That’s enough. You and that silver tongue of yours.”

Zhang Qiao stood obediently beside Lin Tianyue. “Gu Yu, nice to meet you. Hearing about you isn’t the same as seeing you in person. I’ll have to trouble you to look after our Tianyue in the future.”

“Don’t worry! Brother Yue’s the big shot in Jiangcheng now—he calls the shots. If anyone’s doing the looking after, it’s him taking care of me. Last time in Shenzhen, if Brother Yue hadn’t turned the tide—”

Lin Tianyue suddenly coughed twice.

Gu Yu quickly ushered them into a private room. “Sister-in-law, order whatever you like today. It’s on me.”

Zhang Qiao flipped through the exquisitely made menu. On the way there, Lin Tianyue had already explained Gu Yu’s relationship with Gu Junye to her.

She knew Gu Yu had chosen this place deliberately—he wanted her and Lin Tianyue to see their competitor’s strength.

“Gu Yu, then I won’t be polite.”

There were four of them, and Zhang Qiao ordered six dishes and a soup.

While waiting for the food, Gu Yu and Lin Tianyue talked about their recent business ventures. The two of them had made a fortune reselling electronics from Shenzhen and were now discussing building another warehouse and forming a transport team.

Feeling a little bored, Zhang Qiao excused herself to use the restroom and took the opportunity to stroll around the restaurant.

Since it had just opened, business was booming. Not only was the décor upscale, even the tableware and serving plates were carefully chosen. The waitstaff were neatly dressed and attentive. The overall dining experience far surpassed that of state-run restaurants.

If Zhang Qiao hadn’t transmigrated into this novel, she might have been intimidated by the scene. But in the world she came from, trendy internet-famous restaurants emerged one after another, with endless marketing tactics. In comparison, Gu Junye’s place was merely above passing level.

Just as she turned to head back, she heard someone shout behind her, “Careful!”

She had nearly bumped into a server carrying dishes. Luckily, someone pulled her aside in time.

“Thank you.”

Zhang Qiao looked up to thank her helper—then froze.

Gu Junye, dressed in a suit and inspecting his restaurant, was equally stunned. “It’s you.”

They had met two or three times before, and he had always remembered her radiant face. But now, he felt she was completely different.

Ah, right—her belly was gone. Her figure was slim again, and she was dressed much more fashionably.

Sure enough, women looked best like this!

Zhang Qiao had never liked this arrogant man. She gave him a brief nod and was about to leave.

But Gu Junye spoke again, eyes fixed on her back with interest. “I know you. You’re the one who wanted to rent Professor Liang’s house last time. And the four-story building on Jiuma Road that’s being renovated—that’s yours too, right? Since you’re here to learn from us, after wandering around for so long, why don’t you tell me—what do you think of my place?”

Zhang Qiao didn’t even bother giving him a proper glance. “It’s not bad. But I’m not here to learn from you. There’s nothing here worth stealing.”

“Don’t boast too early. I saw you walking around for quite a while. You country people sure have guts—daring to sell a single fish as if it were dragon meat. But let me remind you, this is Jiangcheng, not the countryside. Not everyone here is some ignorant peasant. People can tell the difference between dragon meat and fish.”

Was he mocking her sauerkraut fish for not being refined enough?

Hah… arrogant, insufferable man.

“Alright, stop trying to sound literary. If you’re so noble, then sell your dragon meat properly. I’ll have a taste later too—see just how different dragon meat is from fish.”

She found him irritating. Turning around, she lifted her chin and looked down at him. “Oh, and let me remind you—today I’m a guest, and you’re the service provider. Watch your attitude, or I’ll leave you a bad review!”

Having said her piece, she left swiftly.

Back in the private room, all the dishes had been served.

As soon as Zhang Qiao sat down, Lin Tianyue, worried she might be hungry, immediately began piling food into her bowl.